Erectile Dysfunction Treatment: What the Ads Don't Tell You

If you're thinking about taking a drug for erectile dysfunction, it's important to consider more than just the benefits. ED drugs also have a number of negatives — from physical side effects to emotional issues — but you can manage them by taking the right steps.

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It's hard to watch an hour of television without seeing an advertisement for an impotence drug to treat erectile dysfunction. Seeing all the happy faces of men and their partners on television, you might think that popping a pill for erectile dysfunction is the end of the story, but there is a lot more you need to consider if you are one of the millions of men looking for the right erectile dysfunction treatment.

In fact, what the advertisement’s don’t show are these men going on to experience headaches, back pain, or a number of other potential ED drug side effects.

"Erectile dysfunction medications should not be seen as recreational drugs. You need to be aware of their possible side effects and drug interactions. You also need to work with your doctor to treat conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes that can lead to erectile dysfunction," says Michael Feloney, MD, urologic surgeon and expert on sexual dysfunction issues at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

"When it comes to erectile dysfunction you cannot separate the physical from the emotional,” adds David Schnarch, PhD, clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist, and best-selling author of Intimacy & Desire. “Erectile dysfunction should be seen as an opportunity for men to stop performing and start forming a sexual bond with their partner. It’s an opportunity for emotional growth."

Physical Issues of Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

It is estimated that about 10 percent of men will have trouble getting or maintaining an erection. If you are having erection problems more than half the time, treatment may be required. "Although aging and medical problems may contribute to erectile dysfunction, with proper medical evaluation and treatment most men should still be able to have a satisfying sex life," says Dr. Feloney.

There are, however, treatment issues you need to be aware of:

Drug interactions. "Impotence drugs can lower your blood pressure and they can be dangerous if you take nitroglycerin for a heart condition," explains Feloney. Always let your doctor know about any other drugs you are taking.

Side effects. "Side effects include skin flushing, headaches, nasal congestion, and visual disturbances. If you have any side effects, let your doctor know. You may do better with a different type of medication," says Feloney.

Priapism. When the commercials say "Call your doctor for an erection lasting more than four hours," they aren't kidding. "Priapism is an erection that can last for 4 to 24 hours and it can cause permanent damage to the penis," warns Feloney.

Treatment options. You should be aware that a given impotence drug won't work for everyone and there are other treatment options available including penile injections, vacuum devices, and surgical implants.

Partner issues. Erectile dysfunction may help your erection, but it takes two partners to have sexual intercourse. "When evaluating sexual dysfunction, I always try to see both partners together. In about 50 percent of cases, I find that the woman also has a treatable sexual dysfunction issue," notes Feloney.

Emotional Issues of Erectile Dysfunction

For many men, erectile dysfunction treatment can help complete the act of sexual intercourse, but physical performance alone does not achieve sexual intimacy. "Women can accept the absence of an erection, but not the absence of attention," says Schnarch. "If you think of erectile dysfunction treatment only as a way to prove your adequacy, you are only proving your insecurity."

Here are some of the emotional issues you need to pay attention to:

Anxiety and stress. "These emotions can be transmitted like a virus between partners. If a man is afraid of failure or a woman feels unwanted, no amount of erectile dysfunction medication can help them achieve sexual satisfaction," cautions Schnarch.

Communication. "Open communication is of no use unless there is a willingness to grow emotionally. How well do you stand up as a man when your penis stands down? Think of erectile dysfunction as an opportunity to find deeper desire, deeper passion, and deeper intimacy," advises Schnarch.

Shared responsibility. "If either partner falls into the 'It's not me, it's you' trap, they are in danger of withdrawing from the relationship," warns Schnarch.

Your sex life after erectile dysfunction treatment is about much more than an impotence drug. If you are still struggling with emotional or physical issues, help is available.

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